WARWICKSHIRE'S deeply uninspiring C&G Trophy campaign closed with a sixth defeat in nine games - by three wickets to Lord's-bound Lancashire.

WARWICKSHIRE'S deeply uninspiring C&G Trophy campaign closed with a sixth defeat in nine games - by three wickets to Lord's-bound Lancashire.

While the visitors departed jubilant at securing the top spot that guaranteed them a showpiece showdown against Sussex in August, the Bears were left languishing one from bottom in the final table.

That berth, below Scotland, does full justice to the untidy 50-over cricket they have produced over the last two months. The sparseness of the audience at Edgbaston yesterday, albeit with a rival attraction in Stuttgart of course, said it all.

At least yesterday offered some glimpses of encouragement. The Bears' 249 was built on two decent partnerships - rarely of late have they mustered more than one substantial stand in a one-day match.

Wagh, in his first one-day game this season, looked in great nick for 51 from 66 balls with seven fours and a six. His innings was marred only by its conclusion. Poonia had just departed for an attractive 45 from 58 balls when Wagh chipped casually to deep mid-wicket to leave two new batsmen at the crease together.

Trott and Powell, mindful of four wickets down by the 29th over, employed restraint although the latter hoisted Gary Keedy and Simon Marshall for sixes.

Trott advanced to an unbeaten 76 from 86 balls with eight fours but, against impressive death bowling, there was no late plundering of a short Pershore Road side boundary.

Lancashire were soon plundering. Their first 13 overs' batting produced 88 in boundaries as Mal Loye twice lifted Lee Daggett over the Priory

Stand on his way to 60 from 44 balls. Heath Streak kept Warwickshire in the game by taking wickets with his first and ninth deliveries and when Loye's charge ended with an edge off Neil Carter, the game was back in the balance.

The bowling improved. Fewer four-balls were served up and Nick James again looked unfazed by first-team cricket. He removed Stuart Law (68 from 73 balls) via a catch at mid-wicket but Dominic Cork saw his side comfortably home.